Which history play stands alone, outside of the two major tetralogies, and deals with a 13th-century monarch’s struggle with the Pope?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: King John alone
King John covers a much earlier period than the other histories and stands outside both tetralogies. It focuses on themes of legitimacy and national identity, specifically the King's defiance of papal authority and the Catholic Church.
Keep practicing
More Shakespearean Histories questions
- What role does the 'Chorus' play in 'Henry V'?
- Who is the 'Kingmaker' in the 'Henry VI' plays who shifts his allegiance between Lancaster and York?
- Which of Shakespeare's plays belongs to the First Tetralogy of history plays?
- What is the primary historical source Shakespeare used for his English history plays?
- In 'Henry IV, Part 1,' what is the real name of the rebel leader famously known as 'Hotspur'?
- Which king’s deposition and subsequent murder in 1399 serves as the catalyst for the civil strife in the subsequent history plays?